Millwall were forced to settle for a point against a stubborn Preston side at The Den on Saturday afternoon.

 

Zian Flemming scored for the sixth time in four appearances against North End to give the Lions the lead in the fifth minute.

Preston levelled before half time, as former Blackpool man Brad Potts finished neatly past Matija Sarkic after a mistake from the Lions at the back.

As has become the norm under Joe Edwards Millwall started very well, on the front foot and at a high intensity and that paid off in the fifth minute. Brooke Norton-Cuffy and George Honeyman combined well, the latter crossed for Flemming who powered his header past Freddie Woodman.

Two minutes later, Ben Whiteman fired a shot wide of the far post as the visitors looked for an equaliser. 12 minutes later, Whiteman set up Potts but his shot was blocked.

In the 31st minute, Billy Mitchell was set up by Flemming but his shot was well saved by Woodman.

A few minutes later, Preston were level. A loose pass from Japhet Tanganga alloed Potts to advance forward into the open space and slot past Sarkic with ease.

Preston then begun to dominate with Millwall unable to get out of their own half for the majority of the half.

Millwall came out for the second half with a spring in their step and looked the more likely of the two sides to find the net. Flemming and Nisbet combined in the 55th minute, Flemming firing the shot wide.

Three minutes later, Wes Harding was denied by a goal line clearance from Joe Bryan’s corner, after an almighty goalmouth scramble but there was no way of forcing home a second Millwall goal.

Nisbet and Romain Esse were both denied as the game moved past the hour mark with the home crowd becoming more frustrated as the visitors continued to hold out despite the pressure from Millwall. Bryan was then denied as his curling effort was easy for Woodman to catch and hold.

In the 72nd minute, George Saville’s excellent work on the left saw him cross for Nisbet, who on the turn, could not keep his shot down.

Norton-Cuffy burst his way into the box and delivered a fine low cross towards the back poast but there was no one in blue to put it away.

All of that hard work was almost undone in stoppage time Potts found himself through with Sarkic again but this time the goalkeeper came out on top, saving from Potts with his legs.

Neither side were able to force a winner and were forced to settle for a point which does not help either side in their positions.

Image: Millwall FC